A Guide to Picking the Best Foyer Chandelier for Your Entry Way

Hanging a chandelier in your foyer or entry way is the ultimate way to make a big statement. Anyone who enters your home will be blown away by the beauty, and stunning impact of the perfect foyer chandelier. 

Style

Take into account both the style of your home and the style that you would like to portray in your entry way. Study different styles of chandeliers and try to picture each one in your home's foyer. If you have a small, starter bungalow, avoid the huge, 400-watt crystal chandelier. That type of model would be better suited to Southern mansion's 2-story entry way.. If your home is a bit more modest, try a chrome fixture with square light pieces, or a bronze chandelier with shades. 

The fancier your entry way, the larger and looser your chandelier can be. This means a higher-impact, crystal piece will be more appropriate. Conversely, the smaller your foyer, the smaller and more structured your fixture should be. Look for a stiff, metallic piece with lampshades or electric candles. 

Size

If the ceiling in your foyer is somewhat low, think carefully about how low a chandelier will hang before you buy it. You won't want your guests to bump their heads, no matter how beautiful the fixture.

Also consider the size of the chandelier itself. It should be in proportion with the size of your entrance space. Unless it is meant to be the focal point, it shouldn't overpower other elements contained in the room. For example, have you ever been into a house with a 2-story high, spectacular entry way with a winding staircase? This is perhaps the only appropriate space for that crystal chandelier that measures taller than you. 

Light

To provide sufficient lighting for any room, keep chandelier lights to total about 200 to 400 watts. You can probably afford to stay on the lower end of that if your foyer is small.

Keep in mind that if you find an incredible chandelier that simply doesn't give off enough light, you can supplement with lighting in other places. The style of the chandelier fixture is much more important to making an impact than the lighting it actually gives off. 

Shop 

After sweeping the chandelier section meticulously, you've spotted what you think is the perfect fixture for your entry way. You're probably right, but never buy a chandelier without shopping around for comparison. Once you've pinpointed which style you want, find other stores that carry it as well. Each chandelier in each different store will possess subtle differences that you might not have even considered. You may go to a new store and find the fixture that you thought you wanted, but with lampshades. Won't you be glad that you didn't buy the first chandelier that you first thought you fell in love with?